Some 10,000 learner drivers who are due to take their driving tests in early December face cancellations after examiners today threatened a 48-hour walkout next month in protest over controversial changes.

New additions to the driving test, including a new reversing manoeuvre and sat-nav prompted routes, will come into force from December 4, and it has attracted widespread criticism over recent months.

Not only have learners voiced their concerns but instructors have began petitioning against one of the procedure that requires a driver to pull up on the right hand side of the road, reverse two car lengths and then rejoin the traffic.

Examiners have called for a full safety review before the changes are implemented.

Scroll down for video

Protested manoeuvre: This reversing move is set to replace the ‘reverse around a corner’ and parallel parking actions in the current test from December 4 but has received widespread criticism

Earlier this month, driving instructor Antony Cove started an e-petition to have the new reversing move banned, claiming that it was in contradiction to Highway Code rule 239, which states that drivers should not park facing against the traffic flow.

So far, Mr Cove has gained the support of more than 2,600 signatures.

And it was confirmed today (Wednesday) that examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) had voted 84 per cent in favour of a walkout in protest of the changes, commencing with an overtime ban and work to rule beginning from 23 November and strike action on 4 and 5 December.

The union questioned the safety of incorporating a sat-nav-directed portion of the test and the requirement for examiners to carry out seven examinations a day – taking an average of one hour and two minutes per test – preferring the figure to be dropped to six.

It said a full safety review needed to be conducted and that the new test should be suspended until further notice.

Some 2,000 examiners will walkout on December 4 for 48 hours, the PCS Union confirmed

The walkout will take place from December 4, coinciding with the test changes being brought in, and will see around 2,000 examiners downing tools for the two days.

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said the government was trying to force the ‘detrimental changes’ on its members with the new test.

‘Our members, whose jobs are about ensuring our roads are safe for drivers and pedestrians, have voted overwhelmingly to demonstrate that these changes are unacceptable,’ he said.

The four driving test changes from 4 December 2017

1. Independent driving part of the test will increase to 20 minutes

2. Drivers will need to follow directions from a sat nav

3. ‘Reverse around a corner’ and the three-point ‘turn in the road’ will be replaced by:

parallel park at the side of the road

park in a bay – either driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)

pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic

4. Drivers will be asked to answer two vehicle safety questions while driving

Source: DVSA

‘Ministers can avoid this strike action by instructing their officials in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to scrap the plans and re-enter serious negotiations with PCS.’

The decision could leave thousands of hopeful drivers facing delayed tests, with the RAC Foundation estimating that 10,000 candidates would be left high and dry by the strike action.

Responding to the strike action, DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn said: ‘The fact PCS is trying to undermine the launch of the new test by calling for strike action shows a shameful disregard for both road safety and learner drivers who have worked so hard to be ready to take their test.

‘The new driving test has been designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving.

‘It is one step in helping reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on Britain’s roads.

‘During the last 3 years the changes – which are welcomed by most examiners, road safety experts, disability groups and instructors – have been developed and trialled extensively with a wide range of our staff, learners and other organisations. Over 4000 candidates were involved in the trial.

‘I met with PCS on 2nd November and they turned down my offer of mediation, although our offer still stands. This means that we cannot move forward together to resolve this dispute, for the sake of our staff and customers.’

When Confused.com asked 2,000 UK motorists about the additions to the driving test, just 17 per cent thought the under-fire manoeuvre was a good idea.

However, 46 per cent backed the addition of a sat-nav prompted section in the 20-minute independent driving part of the test.

DO DRIVERS AGREE WITH THE CHANGES TO THE DRIVING TEST FROM 04/12/17?

The change

Manoeuvre/ Action

% of drivers who agree with the changes

Removed

Reversing around a corner

25%

Removed

Turning in the road (three-point turn)

16%

Added

Increasing independent driving to 20 minutes

38%

Added

Following directions from a sat nav

46%

Added

Answering a vehicle safety question while driving

26%

Added

Pulling up on the right-hand side of the road and reversing two car lengths